January 2018

Vegetable oils are a renewable biomass resource used in the production of biofuels. Biodiesel production from transesterification of vegetable oils (fatty acid methyl ester, or FAME) is the primary route for producing biofuels from vegetable oils.

The production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) requires a number of stages to effectively purify the feed gas. These stages are essential to maintain continuous operation and to meet product specifications.

One of the greatest challenges facing the world is climate change, the aftermath of emissions of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere. Awareness of climate change and its causes is spurring the development of new methods to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Due to reduced margins, higher energy costs and rising atmospheric carbon dioxide content, energy efficiency has never been more important in refining and petrochemicals. This is particularly true in the modern aromatics complex, which produces paraxylene (pX), benzene and other aromatics from naphtha.

Ethane production in North America (NA) has expanded dramatically with the onset of shale production and associated hydraulic fracturing. Ethane concentrations in fractured shale gas are typically 10% or higher vs. a traditional range of 4%–7% in associated gas.

To kick off the new year, industry leaders and esteemed colleagues shared their viewpoints on 2018 and beyond with Hydrocarbon Processing. These viewpoints offer insight into growing regions of activity, technological advances, and how the downstream industry can innovate in 2018 and into the future.

A major refiner operates two catalytic reforming units for gasoline octane improvement and aromatics production in Texas. In each of these units, five reactors filled with catalyst are operated continuously in series to reform paraffinic hydrocarbons in the presence of hydrogen (H2). During this process, some byproduct coke is unavoidably produced and deposits on the catalyst, which leads to gradual catalyst deactivation.

Investors have a critical need for assurance that the asset they are invested in will achieve continuous operation at the designed rates, as well as meet—and hopefully surpass—reliability, availability and maintenance targets safely.

This issue of Hydrocarbon Processing focuses on the use of alternative feedstocks and biofuels. The goal of utilizing these technologies is to produce fuels and products that lower total carbon output/emissions, which is a major focus in decarbonizing economies around the world.

Since the late 1800s, small steam turbines have incorporated bushing-type, single-piece and/or segmented carbon gland components to reduce and prevent steam leakage along the shaft.

A career involves a series of decisions and experiences that improve a person’s knowledge, competencies and personal fulfillment.

With the help of an excellent mentor, I became adept at analyzing equipment and structures at the start of my career, using analytical techniques.

When we think of oil and gas industry hazards, we often perceive them as an enormous oil rig engulfed in flames in the middle of nowhere.

According to Hydrocarbon Processing’s Construction Boxscore Database, nearly 800 new projects have been announced since 2015. Over the past few years, new project announcements have decreased each year. However, the rate of decline has slowed over the past year.

Over the past several years, new gas processing/LNG capacity has surged in nearly every region. Growth on both the supply and demand sides has resulted in the announcement of billions of dollars of capital investment across the world. Millions of tons of new LNG import and export capacity have commenced operations, with hundreds of millions of tons still under development.

US product markets improved, supported by higher export opportunities amid unexpected refinery outages.

Hydrocarbon Processing’s Construction Boxscore Database is tracking more than 330 active gas processing/LNG projects around the world.

Braskem and Haldor Topsoe have signed a technological cooperation agreement to develop a pioneering route to produce monoethylene glycol (MEG) from sugar.

SIMMONS EDECO has appointed Niels Versfeld as Chief Executive Officer.

The refining industry has been considering incorporating dewaxing in ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) and hydrocracking services to increase the flexibility of hydroprocessing units and to process more barrels by increasing the endpoint of the feed when diesel margins are favorable.